Following the Digital Trail: Intelligence gathering and international cooperation targeting online paedophile networks
In July 2016, the Guardian published an exclusive inside story (available here) about a highly sophisticated, six-month sting by Task Force Argos, a specialised branch of Australia’s Queensland Police Service responsible for the investigation of online child abuse and exploitation.
The operation, which involved secretly running one of the largest and most highly organised child abuse forums on the darknet, led to hundreds of arrests all around the world. In the UK, the most widely reported was that of Richard Huckle, ‘Britain’s worst paedophile’, by the National Crime Agency (NCA). He was convicted of 71 counts of serious sexual assaults against children and given 22 life sentences in June this year.
The operation is yet another example of how authorities from across the world are harnessing technology and collaborating at an international level to tackle online child abuse. Offenders cannot assume to avoid detection by hiding behind proxies, anonymising services and encryption, or even international borders – the instantaneous exchange of material online that enables the sharing of indecent images of children also leaves a digital trail; a trail that authorities from around the world are becoming increasingly expert at finding and following.
Detecting Online Child Abuse & Exploitation
The work of Task Force Argos detailed in the report highlights the increased sophistication of the detection and investigation of online child abuse and exploitation. The operation that led to the arrest of Huckle encompassed a multi-pronged approach: clues were discovered and evidence gathered by trawling gigabytes of videos and images, as well as by identifying information embedded in them. Offenders were also identified via an undercover presence both on the internet’s social media and sites on the darknet presumed to be hidden from detection. This intelligence was then shared with the relevant national authorities, who had the power to arrest and charge offenders.
The operation is an example of the complex relationship between online and offline activity in the identification of criminal conduct. Unfortunately, these interactions can be, and are, misconstrued or misinterpreted by the authorities. The result is that otherwise innocent people, eager to protect their privacy online, can easily become involved in investigations of suspected criminal activities.
Online Sexual Offences in the UK: Indecent Images & Digital Evidence
In the UK, there are a series of offences that exist which are specifically created to address the ability of individuals to use the darknet to commit sexual offences. The legislation in this field is varied and criminalises a great deal of activities, most of which concern any participation in or connection with the sexual abuse of children. The offences that have been created are relatively comprehensive and have been designed in such a way that there is no ambiguity regarding the legal position in the UK regarding sexual activity involving children. You can read more about darknet sexual offences in the UK here, about P2P file sharing and indecent images here and other sexual offences that can be committed online here.
At Tuckers Solicitors, we have been at the forefront of developments in this field: we are regularly instructed to defend individuals who have been charged with offences relating to use of the internet in connection with allegations of the most serious breaches of criminal law. We take a robust approach when defending our clients, deploying our specialist knowledge and expertise to conduct a thorough forensic investigation into all available evidence.
Contact Our Specialist Sexual Offences Defence Team Today
If you are concerned that you may be implicated with indecent or prohibited material available either on the internet or darknet, please contact us. At Tuckers, our Specialist Casework Team, led by Jim Meyer, have extensive experience in defending our clients against allegations of sexual misconduct. Both Judges and Prosecutors alike have commended our skill and professionalism. We work tirelessly to ensure that the rights of our clients are defended every step of the way.
Our offices are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ready to deliver immediate and expert legal advice and representation. For more information e-mail meyerj@tuckerssolicitors.com, or contact Jim Meyer on 0797 322 6586.